Comment by DrAwdeOccarim

"Today, of Americans officially designated as "poor," 99 per cent have electricity, running water, flush toilets, and a refrigerator; 95 per cent have a television, 88 per cent a telephone, 71 per cent a car and 70 per cent air conditioning. Cornelius Vanderbilt had none of these." --Matt Ridley in "The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves"